Wire-stretcher



(No Model.) v J. T. ALEXANDER.

WIRE STRETGHBR. No. 363,191. Patented May 17, 1887.

,mmmlmlmm NITED STATES PATENT JOHN THOMAS ALEXANDER, OF LETART FALLS, OHIO.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,191, dated May 17, 18817.

Application filed March '7, 1887. Serial No. 230,006. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN THOMAS ALEX.- ANDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Letart Falls, in the county of Meigs and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVire-Stretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

This invention relates to wire stretchers, and has for its object to devise a simple and economical device for the purpose, which will at the same time be efficient, durable, easily managed, and not liable to get out of repair.

In the annexed'drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device, showing themanner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a side view, and Fig. 3 is a plan View.

The device comprises the two blades A and B and the stop 0.

The lever A has its forward end, a, expanded and bifurcated, forming a claw, which is adapted to fit over a staple or nail and extract the samevwhen the device is used as a pry. The middle portion of the lever Ais flattened, and the end a is expanded at right angles thereto, principally to rest against the side of the post in the operation of the device. The outer end, a, is bent to one side of the plane of the middle portion and formed into a handle to be grasped by the hand when operating the levers to grip or release the wire. The stop 0 is located just in the rear of the claw, and consists, preferably, of an independent piece adjustably and removably secured thereto by the bolt 0. It is manysided, and the sides are at unequal distances from the bolt 0, which forms an axis for the stop to turn about when adjusting the device for different thicknesses of wire.

The lever B is pivotally connected with the lever A at a short distance from the stop by the rivet or bolt D. The head is expanded, forming the clamping-faces b b 1), between which and the stop the wire is designed to be clamped. These faces, it will be observed, A are at unequal distances from the fulcrum of the lever B, so that the distance between the stop and the end of the lever depends, provided the stop remains fixed, upon which of the faces I), b, or If is opposite. Thus it will be seen that the position of the lever B can be adjusted relative to the lever A and stop O to accommodate different thicknesses of wires. The lever B and stop O can be adjusted singly or together to accommodate and clamp wires of different gage. The lever B may be longer than the lever A, and in practice receives the strain when stretching the wire. Thus the more force exerted to tighten the wire the more tightly is the latter clamped. It may extend straight; but it is preferred to have its outer end, which is formed into a handle, bent to one side, so it will not interfere with the lever A. y

In practice the wire, to be tightened or stretched is placed between the end of the lever B and the stop, and the end a of the lever A is placed against the side of the post. By drawing on the end of the lever B the wire is tightly clamped, and a continued pull moves both levers about the end a; as a fulcrum and draws the wire. To release the wire, the handles of the levers are generally pressed together. Ordinarily they are separated; but it is found more convenient to bring them togetherf This advantage results from the outward bend of the handle of the lever B.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with the lever A, having its inner end bent downward and outward and its outer end formed into a claw, and the stop 0, secured to the lever at a short distance from the claw, of the lever B, pivoted to the lever A in front of the stop and adapted to clamp the wire betweenitsend and the stop, substantially as set forth. v

2'. The combination, with the lever A, the apertured stop 0, having a number of clamp ing sides disposed about the opening and located at unequal distances therefrom, and

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 10 the bolt 0, for clamping the stop to the lever presence of two witnesses.

and forming an axis for the stop to turn aboutwhen adjusted, of the lever B, pivoted 5 at a short distance from its end to the lever A in front of the stop 0, and having said end provided with clamping-faces at unequal distances from the fulcrum of the lever, substantially as set forth.

JOHN THOMAS ALEXANDER.

VVitn esSeS:

ARCH MGCLAIN, MARY HAYMAN. 

